Microsoft Windows Server 2003/XP Indexing Service memory corruption

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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6.0$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, has been found in Microsoft Windows Server 2003/XP. The impacted element is an unknown function of the component Indexing Service. Performing a manipulation results in memory corruption. This vulnerability is reported as CVE-2004-0897. The attacker must have access to the local network to execute the attack. No exploit exists. To fix this issue, it is recommended to deploy a patch.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability classified as critical has been found in Microsoft Windows Server 2003/XP (Operating System). This affects an unknown functionality of the component Indexing Service. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a memory corruption vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as CWE-119. The product performs operations on a memory buffer, but it can read from or write to a memory location that is outside of the intended boundary of the buffer. This is going to have an impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The summary by CVE is:

The Indexing Service for Microsoft Windows XP and Server 2003 does not properly validate the length of a message, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a buffer overflow attack.

The bug was discovered 01/11/2005. The weakness was disclosed 01/11/2005 with Microsoft as MS05-003 as confirmed bulletin (Technet). It is possible to read the advisory at microsoft.com. This vulnerability is uniquely identified as CVE-2004-0897 since 09/22/2004. The attack can only be done within the local network. No form of authentication is needed for exploitation. The technical details are unknown and an exploit is not publicly available.

We expect the 0-day to have been worth approximately $25k-$100k. The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 16125 (MS05-003: Indexing Service Code Execution (871250)), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment. It is assigned to the family Windows : Microsoft Bulletins and running in the context l. The commercial vulnerability scanner Qualys is able to test this issue with plugin 90210 (Microsoft Indexing Service Remote Code Execution Vulnerability (MS05-003)).

Applying the patch MS05-003 is able to eliminate this problem. The bugfix is ready for download at windowsupdate.microsoft.com. A possible mitigation has been published immediately after the disclosure of the vulnerability.

The vulnerability is also documented in the databases at X-Force (18766), Tenable (16125), SecurityFocus (BID 12228†), OSVDB (12832†) and Secunia (SA13802†). Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.

Productinfo

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Support

  • end of life (old version)

Website

CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 6.3
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 6.0

VulDB Base Score: 6.3
VulDB Temp Score: 6.0
VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv2info

AVACAuCIA
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VulDB Base Score: 🔍
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NVD Base Score: 🔍

Exploitinginfo

Class: Memory corruption
CWE: CWE-119
CAPEC: 🔍
ATT&CK: 🔍

Physical: No
Local: No
Remote: Yes

Availability: 🔍
Status: Not defined

EPSS Score: 🔍
EPSS Percentile: 🔍

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔍

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Nessus ID: 16125
Nessus Name: MS05-003: Indexing Service Code Execution (871250)
Nessus File: 🔍
Nessus Risk: 🔍
Nessus Family: 🔍
Nessus Context: 🔍

Qualys ID: 🔍
Qualys Name: 🔍

Threat Intelligenceinfo

Interest: 🔍
Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Patch
Status: 🔍

Reaction Time: 🔍
0-Day Time: 🔍
Exposure Time: 🔍

Patch: MS05-003
McAfee IPS: 🔍
McAfee IPS Version: 🔍

Timelineinfo

09/22/2004 🔍
01/11/2005 +111 days 🔍
01/11/2005 +0 days 🔍
01/11/2005 +0 days 🔍
01/11/2005 +0 days 🔍
01/11/2005 +0 days 🔍
01/11/2005 +0 days 🔍
01/11/2005 +0 days 🔍
01/11/2005 +0 days 🔍
01/11/2005 +0 days 🔍
01/11/2005 +0 days 🔍
01/12/2005 +0 days 🔍
01/17/2005 +5 days 🔍
07/07/2025 +7476 days 🔍

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: microsoft.com
Product: microsoft.com

Advisory: MS05-003
Researcher: http://www.microsoft.com
Organization: Microsoft
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2004-0897 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2004-0897
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-1107

OVAL: 🔍

CERT: 🔍
X-Force: 18766
SecurityFocus: 12228 - Microsoft Windows Indexing Service Buffer Overflow Vulnerability
Secunia: 13802 - Microsoft Windows Indexing Service Buffer Overflow Vulnerability, Highly Critical
OSVDB: 12832 - Microsoft Windows Indexing Service Query Overflow
SecurityTracker: 1012833
Vulnerability Center: 6824 - [MS05-003] Microsoft Indexing Service Allows DoS and Code Execution via Unchecked Buffer, Medium

Entryinfo

Created: 01/17/2005 13:26
Updated: 07/07/2025 14:15
Changes: 01/17/2005 13:26 (93), 06/30/2019 20:50 (2), 01/02/2025 18:40 (16), 07/07/2025 14:15 (2)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216:079:103

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